A fracture almost always happens suddenly, after a road accident or a fall. The price of surgery depends on which bone is broken and the technique the vet uses to fix it.
Key facts
- At a university veterinary hospital, fixing a fracture costs between €700 and €1,400 depending on the technique and the bone.
- The price includes up to 24 hours of observation and two check-ups with dressings and X-rays, but not the anaesthetic or the pre-operative assessment.
- Petplan reimburses 100% up to €3,100 a year if the fracture is not pre-existing.
Reference prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| External fixation | €700 |
| Intramedullary fixation or pinning | €700 |
| Plate fixation | €800 |
| Locking plate fixation: ulna, radius, tibia | €1,150 |
| Locking plate fixation: humerus, femur | €1,300 |
| Elbow fracture | €1,400 |
| Implant removal (pins) | €150 |
| Implant removal (plates) | €230 |
What makes the price vary?
The broken bone and the fixation technique make the main difference. The dog’s weight changes the price of the anaesthetic, billed separately along with the pre-operative assessment, €30 without blood tests. If the surgery is done as an emergency, this hospital adds a 25% surcharge. Biopsies, cultures and additional tests are not included either.
How much does Petplan cover?
Petplan Spain reimburses 100% of the invoice up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 co-payment per illness or accident, at the vet of your choice. It does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive care, and there are waiting periods of 15 days for accidents and 30 days for illness.
The policy includes surgery carried out by the vet to treat an injury. Hospitalisation is covered when the vet confirms it is needed for treatment, and out-of-hours costs when the vet confirms an emergency consultation was needed. Prostheses are excluded, apart from hip, knee and elbow replacements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does fracture surgery cost in total?
At this hospital, for a medium dog (10-24 kg) with a femur fracture fixed with a locking plate: €1,300 for the surgery, €120 for inhalant anaesthesia up to 2 hours and €30 for the pre-operative assessment. That is €1,450 in total, without prior tests.
Do the pins or plates have to be removed afterwards?
Implant removal is a separate procedure and is not included in the price of the surgery. At this hospital it costs €150 for pins and €230 for plates.
Sources
- Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza, 2026 public prices (VAT included).
- Petplan, health insurance general conditions (in Spanish).
See also: cost of an X-ray, cost of anaesthesia, cost of an amputation and real cost of the vet in Spain 2026.
Indicative prices. Spain has no official price scale and each clinic sets its own fees: these are the public prices of a university veterinary hospital, and other clinics may charge differently.
